If you’ve been keeping up with news you will know in our neck of the ocean there have been some earthquakes and volcano eruptions. This is happening on the largest island of Hawaii also known as “The Big Island.” Friends on the mainland and around the world have been sending texts and messages and some making calls checking on our wellbeing. We are fine because we live on Oahu, a thirty-five-minute flight from the Big Island.
If you are not familiar with our islands, it is easy to listen to the news and hear the word Hawaii and think it is all the same. But locals will let you know each island carries its own distinction.
There is a parallel as we put this in the light of the Father and all His children. We may all be called Christians, but for sure there is a distinctiveness about each of us. With our own personality, strengths, gifts and talents marked by the Holy Spirit we are to be light and salt. You know what I mean. You’ve met some of these folks:
Megan will bring made-from-scratch-wrapped-in -her-handmade-cheesecloth-towel scones that will melt in your mouth.
Meredith meets strangers who within minutes experience welcome, great conversation and deep interest through her warm questions.
Dani Beth is a party everywhere she goes. She is full of wonder and curiosity about the world and God the Father. She celebrates that with laughter, delight, and with every age group.
Tiffany will not be in the front of a crowd speaking but she will quietly illustrate the speaker’s words in her ever-present art notebook and then share them with others.
Ruthie will organize crafts for every age group and have you believing you can create anything.
Katie will paint pictures with her words as she prays with and for you. And you ‘see’ God better having listened to Katie’s heart.
When you look at the women in your life and the gifts they have, it is easy to see ‘islands’ – each with their own beauty, size and shape. It is easy to see the distinctiveness and appreciate what they bring to our lives.
It is also easy to see the ‘islands’ that are experiencing earthquakes and ruptures. The mess of life is flowing down like hot lava. People are moving out of the way quickly. Uncertainty hangs in the air like sulfur gases from volcanos.
We are called to live in and with these ‘islands.’ We are called to be the sweet aroma of Christ. We are to be available to help when chaos rumbles through. Why not look at the houses in your neighborhood, the apartments or condos in your building as an individual island. Ask the Good Father to help you see the islands as belonging in your sphere of influence.
And if we are honest, some of us, for lots of different reasons, are these shaking, splintering, wobbly islands. Remember, it’s ok to send the SOS out. It’s ok to let a neighbor, a friend, the kindness of a stranger meet you right where you are.
May we all remember our uniqueness is an opportunity to show care to others and rest in God’s unchanging love for us.
Cindy Gaskins